Find The Right Swim Paddles For You

There’s a plethora of paddles on the market, each with a different purpose. Here are a few.

Strokemakers Paddles

Purpose: Build swim-specific strength and improve your feel for the water.
Review: Strokemakers was the original, and the basic design still gets the job done.
Sizing: 7 options. Start with ones slightly larger than your hand.
Buy them: $14-20, Swimoutlet.com

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Finis PT Paddles

Purpose: Concave shape takes away hand strength, forcing you to use your full arm to move forward.
Review: Comfortable, easy to use. Feels similar to doing a fist drill.
Sizing: One size
Buy them: $29.99, Finisinc.com

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TYR Catalyst Brites

Purpose: Build upper body strength, improve technique.
Review: Seemed huge at first but made for a good, tough workout.
Sizes: XXS-XXL
Buy them: $17.50, Tyr.com

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TYR Catch Paddles

Purpose: Over-exaggerates catch, encourages proper hand position
Review: Felt initially awkward but promoted a greater awareness of hands “catching” the water.
Sizes: XS-LG
Buy them: $15.50, Tyr.com

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Finis Freestyler Paddles

Purpose: Helps improve reach and distance-per-stroke with shoulder-friendly narrow shape.
Review: Less resistance than Strokemakers (they’re smaller); forces a long stroke.
Sizes: Junior or senior
Buy them: $19.99, Finisinc.com

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